The War Journal Of Tom Lagley
31, March, 1940
It was cold. You couldn't see for miles. The only light was the exploding bombshells that everyone selfishly tried to avoid. My name is Tom Lagley. I am writing this journal against the generals orders to my wife. If I die and this journal is found, please send it home to my wife Kathy. I must go now. We are begining to march toward enemy lines. Goodbye for now.
1,April,1940
Although the month progress the weather reamins cold. Yesterday there was much bloodshed. Many of our men died. On our way into a small town called Deluf, we were ambushed. One man from my platoon was killed. It was our first general. He was the one who took us into battle. He was also my best friend in the war. The worst part of it all was that I saw it happen. He was shot in the back of the neck. He must have been in so much unbearible pain. I wanted to help him but the germans were closing in quickly and I needed to lead my platoon. We went into hiding for a few hours until we got the signal it was clear. I went back to find Georges body. I found it desacrated. I found a german flag and removed the decacration and lit it on fire and set it in a tree. I will pay for Georges body to be sent back to the U.S. Until next time. Tom
2,April,1940
It began to snow hear today. The foxholes we dug couldn't keep out the cold but it was something. I managed to get a fire started after a while but it wasn't much. It did however, keep me warm. That fire gave me the energy to keep going for the day. Luckly we weren't marching anywhere today and we could rest. That is what I will be doing now. Tom
3,April,1940
The weather is starting to turn now. Not by much but some. It probably rose two degrees but its warmer. We marched closer to Berlin today. The captain said that eventually we are going to invade Hitlers base of operations. I am begining to be scared of going into Berlin. It has more artillery then our army. Right now, this journal is the only thing keeping me going.
4,April,1940
I might not be able to write for a few days as we are marching into berlin. I am going in disguised as a german and if I am caught writing in english the mission will be blown. I must go. We are leaving now. Tom
17,April,1940
The long period of time that I could not write to you was unberable. The germans run a tight ship and I could not get a free moment. This is the first chance that i had to slip away and I took it. It was very difficult to be a german for two weeks. I barley knew the language so I didn't talk at all. The only thing that the general wanted me to do was get as much information as I could and then run. I can't tell you anymore as it's a secret. Tomorrow we leave Berlin and I am glad. Tom
18,April,1940
Many bombs were dropped today. One landed near me and I did a barrel roll to get out of the way but it still sent me flying. I hit a tree and was knocked uncconcious. When I woke my patrol was nowhere to be found. It was late and was freezing. I wouldn't have survived unless I found this cave. It's not much warmer but I hvae a fire burning. I will make another attempt at finding my patrol tomorrow. Tom
19,April,1940
I could not find my patrol today. I have a general idea where they are but it is across German lines. I don't have any guns or weapons as the blast blew them away. I am also in need of food. I have seen some mushrooms but I am not sure if they were poison or not so I didn't touch them. So starving and unawear of were I am goodbye.
23,April,1940
My days might be numbered. i was in desperate need of food and so I ate some mushrooms. A little while later I began feeling ill. I saw a town and began walking to it. To my luck there was an aid station. Unfortunely it was a German aid station. They did however treat me. I was given a medication that left me numb and drew all of my strength, I couldn't even move. I then found out that a member of my patrol was in the bed next to mine. His leg was blown off in the explosion. Before he came here he told me that the entire patrol thought I was dead. Someone saw me fly and hit the tree. He is being discharged later this week. I am being treated for food poising and a crack in my skull. The doctors told me that I have a 50/50 chance of living and that they are doing everything that they can. I don't believe them though because why would they want to put another american on the battle field to kill more of there men. I hope that I can write to you more often. Goodbye
24,April,1940
Some got the word out that I was in this hospital because my general came to see me. I told him I was fine but he thought otherwise. He said that if I wanted to stay here overseas that I would be doing desk work. He also told me that I could be discharged whenever I wanted. I am thinking about coming home. I wouldn't be very good at desk work all day. If I do come home I want to run a military training camp with the other injured vets. I want to see you but I also want to fight. I am going to think about my choices.
25, April,1940
I have been released from the hospital. I am scheduled to have a flight home tomorrow morning. There is a training camp that is two miles from are home that I can help run. Kathy I am coming home! Tom
